Born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama, Flagg first began her career as a news anchor and later co-hosted "Candid Camera." She wrote comedy sketches for said show, but she would memorize them because she did not want others to see her writing. She was (and is) dyslexic. Flagg would later appear in movies such as "Five Easy Pieces" and "Grease," as well as other television shows.

She was bad off financially and about to lose her house when she wrote "Fried Greeen Tomatoes." The novel is her most popular yet and was also made into a truly wonderful film. "Daisy Faye" was an even funnier book to me, and "Welcome to the World" carried a bit more depth overall. Flagg has a good grasp of humor.